CLIMBING CRIME STILL NEARLY AT 30-YEAR LOW

Crime rates continued to climb in San Diego County last year but still remained among the lowest in the past three decades, according to the latest data from the San Diego Association of Governments.

Local law enforcers responded to more than 11,800 violent crimes and 69,000 property crimes in 2012, according to a bulletin released Friday.

Theft, which represented more than half of the total crimes, went up by 7 percent last year — to 43,406 incidents.

Homicide, which represented less than 1 percent of the total 81,451 crimes, rose by 30 percent, to 107.

Rape and robbery each saw a 5 percent increase.

The crime rates are still considerably lower than the 30-year highs.

The numbers are a preview of SANDAG’s full report on crime statistics for the county, which is scheduled for release in early April.

Katherine Poythress • U-T

Man repeatedly stabbed at Otay Mesa park

OTAY MESa

A man in his 20s was stabbed several times Saturday night during a fight over stolen property at Silver Wing Park, San Diego police said.

The victim and a friend were playing basketball at the park on Arey Drive about 10:20 p.m. when they were confronted by several other men, police Officer David Stafford said.

They argued over some stolen property and then started fighting, and the victim was stabbed in the back, side and arm with a screwdriver, Stafford said.

Police were called and paramedics took the victim to a hospital. He was expected to survive his wounds.

Four of the assailants drove off in a dark Nissan van while others ran away, Stafford said.

PAULINE REPARD • U-T

Beating victim fires gun near roller coaster

MISSION BEACH

A man who got into a fight near the Giant Dipper roller coaster Saturday night fired a couple of rounds as he drove away, San Diego police said.

The gunfire was reported about 7:50 p.m. near the ride at Belmont Park on Mission Boulevard.

Police said there was a confrontation between a group of four men and a group of two men and two women.

The four men beat up a man in the other group, possibly knocking out some front teeth.

The beating victim pulled out a handgun and fired two rounds, then drove off in a white Ford Mustang, police Lt. Paul Rorrison said. He said there were a lot of people nearby, and some witnesses believe the gunman fired into the air, not directly at the other men, who ran away.

The shooter was described as Latino, 20 to 30 years old, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 180 pounds and wearing a black tank top and a red shirt.

pauline repard • U-T

Girlfriend arrested on stabbing charge

POINT LOMA

A man was stabbed in an arm during an argument with his girlfriend Saturday afternoon, San Diego police said.

Police were called to a residence on Loma Rivera Drive about 4:15 p.m., Officer David Stafford said. They were told that the couple had been arguing and the woman took out a knife and stabbed the man.

Paramedics took him to a hospital and officers took her to jail.

She was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence, Stafford said.